MICHAEL Oakes today declared Wolves are in safe hands as he prepares for a fresh challenge and insisted: "They've got a great chance of promotion next season."

Speaking for the first time since being released after seven-and-a-half years at Molineux, the reliable keeper admitted it was a wrench to bid farewell and paid tribute to the club's fans.

But as he prepares for a summer of searching for a new club, Oakes believes exciting times are in store for Mick McCarthy's Wolves side as Steve Morgan's #30million takeover moves ever closer.

"I am sorry to be leaving because I've had a great seven-and-a-half years here," said Oakes, who made 199 league appearances for Wolves and well over 200 in all competitions.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed it and the fans have been brilliant to me but things move on, that's football.

"And I'm leaving behind a great set of lads. They are a good bunch who have a real hunger to do well. The manager bought very wisely, and has put together an exciting side.

"Now with the takeover and the likelihood of injecting some more cash into the club there's the chance to bring in more quality players.

"Of course a lot of money has been spent here in the past and we know it doesn't guarantee success. But it's good for the manager to have that option at his disposal because the Championship is still such a difficult league to get out of.

"Wolves weren't that far away this season, so hopefully next time out they will do it."

Although the arrival of Morgan's millions do not guarantee success, it is certainly providing McCarthy with added power in the annual summer battle for usually a small group of players.

And that is why strikers such as Scunthorpe's Billy Sharp and Southend's Freddy Eastwood, previously well out of Wolves' range, are now very much on the radar.

The latest to be linked with a possible McCarthy move is Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff.

Sources in Watford suggest the Hornets were poised to agree an initial fee of between #500,000 and #1 million for McAnuff, who has two years remaining with the Londoners, before Wolves showed late interest.

The 25-year-old, who can operate on either flank, was impressive against Wolves in both fixtures with Palace this season, scoring at Selhurst Park and ultimately drawing the two fouls which saw Mark Little sent off.